Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Guangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Guangzhou or Surfers Paradise?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Guangzhou and Surfers Paradise can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Surfers Paradise?
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Guangzhou Prices
China PricesSurfers Paradise Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuangzhou $104Surfers Paradise $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $104, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $124. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Guangzhou and Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuangzhou $58Surfers Paradise $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuangzhou $116Surfers Paradise $134
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou or Surfers Paradise? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guangzhou $14Surfers Paradise $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- [Airport transfer] Guangzhou Airport - Guangzhou city transfer service with a good reputation! <Private charter: $27
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Guangzhou HTL-APT (CAN): $62
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Guangzhou APT-HTL (CAN): $62
- Shenzhen Day Tour from Guangzhou by Round Way Private Transfer: $255
- Private Transfer: Guangzhou hotel to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport: $33
- Private Transfer: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou hotel: $33
- Private Transfer in Guangzhou with Fluent English Speaking Driver: $90
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou city hotels to Shekou Cruise Port: $176
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Baiyun Airport : $53
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Int Airport (CAN) to Shekou Port: $194
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou City Center to South Railway Station: $49
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Hotel: $90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise and Guangzhou change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayGuangzhou $34Surfers Paradise $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Old Town Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $79
- Food Tour - Eat Like Local + Rice Roll Workshop: $96
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- Guangzhou walking tour with dimsum dinner&Zhujiang river cruise: $160
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Pearl River Night Cruise and Karaoke Tour with Buffet Dinner in Guangzhou: $179
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Morning Tea, Cantonese Opera, and Food Tour: $183
- Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
- Private Cooking Canton Cuisine Cooking Class in Guangzhou : $266
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guangzhou $18Surfers Paradise $24
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
- Liuxihe National Forest Park Private Day Tour from Guangzhou: $266
- 1 Day Historical Guangzhou Layover Tour from Airport: $260
- 1-Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private City Tour: $185
- 3-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King Tomb in Guangzhou: $91
- 4-Hour Baiyun Mountain Yuntai Garden Private Guangzhou City Tour: $180
- 4-Hour Flexible Private Guangzhou City Tour with Dim-Sum Options: $153
- 4-Hour Private Flexible Guangzhou City Tour with Dim-Sum Option: $100
- 4-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King & Academy of Clan Chen in Guangzhou: $91
- 5-Hour Private Guangzhou Yumcha Tasting with Local Food Market Experience : $118
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- 6-Day Guangzhou to Guilin Scenic Tour: $1,598
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$79
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Midday River Cruise: $19
- Gold Coast Afternoon River Cruise: $21
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing City Lights Cruise: $26
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing River Cruises: $26
- HOTA: Gold Coast Home of the Arts Cruise & Dine Experience Pass: $27
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $30
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $37
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise: $37
- Guided Gold Coast Amphibious Bus Tour: $38
- Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
- Tropical Fruit World Farm Full Tour : $45
- Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak Tour: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuangzhou $14Surfers Paradise $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guangzhou and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise is more expensive. And not only is Guangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Guangzhou is in Asia and Surfers Paradise is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Guangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guangzhou and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise than you might in Guangzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guangzhou Expensive? and Is Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Surfers Paradise?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou and Surfers Paradise, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Guangzhou or Surfers Paradise?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Surfers Paradise is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Guangzhou has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Guangzhou or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Guangzhou as well as Surfers Paradise. Additionally, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Guangzhou is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein January. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 29°C (84°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Guangzhou this time of the year. In the summer, Guangzhou often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein January. Guangzhou gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Guangzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guangzhou usually gets more rain in July than Surfers Paradisein January. Guangzhou gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGuangzhou 29°C (84°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
Both Surfers Paradise and Guangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Guangzhou is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 25°C (76°F) in October, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. Guangzhou usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during autumn. Guangzhou gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In October, Guangzhou usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Guangzhou gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGuangzhou 25°C (76°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
Both Surfers Paradise and Guangzhou during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Guangzhou is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guangzhou in January average around 14°C (58°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.
In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Guangzhou often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein July. Guangzhou gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun.
Guangzhou usually gets less rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Guangzhou gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyGuangzhou 14°C (58°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guangzhou and Surfers Paradise. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches.
In April, Guangzhou is generally around the same temperature as Surfers Paradisein October. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 22°C (72°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Guangzhou usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during spring. Guangzhou gets 78 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.
Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. Guangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Guangzhou gets 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGuangzhou 22°C (72°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Guangzhou
| Guangzhou | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.